DRDO takes Kerala on board K-15 flight
Three stateowned firms are playing a key role in the developemnt of a nuclear-capable ballistic missile K-15. Indian defence apparatus is depending on Keltron, Keltech and Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Ltd for crucial components of the missile being developed under a project codenamed K-15.
The K-15 can be fired from an undersea platform, of the short-range Prithvi missile. The K-15 project envisages the development of a naval versio. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is sourcing titanium components from Keltech for the project.
The powerpacks are being designed and developed by KEAEL which had done a similar job for the Pinaka rocker. Apart from the state-owned firms, there are several smallscale private-sctor units engaged in defence-related research and development.
Sources said that the DRCO was all for redesignating Keltech as a defence public sector unit. They also said that they hoped that association with K-15 would accelerate that process. they said that they had convinced DRDO of their capabilities.
Sources said that the sheer fact that they were banking on Kerala for developing high-end weaponry was encuraging. They said that K-15 would once again enable them to showcase their potential.
DRDO chief controller A.Sivathanu Pillai said that the Kerala government responded very positively and they were sure that this association could be taken forward to give the state a prominent place on the Indian defence map.
